Port Louis Chien de Plombs Labourdonnais Square 1959
The Harbour Front of Port Louis back in the late 1950s was very different compared to now, if not to say, completely different today. The Albion Docks at the border of the harbour opposite the Labourdonnais Square could still be seen with the railway tracks crossing the front of Port Louis and the big cranes of the ‘Chien de Plomb’ also well visible. Since the late 1870s, this place got the name of the ‘Chien de Plomb’ because of the water fountain that was found there to provide the sailors with fresh water and it was presumed it was in the form of a dog, hence the name.
On the far left the TipTop Bus Stand in front of the old BNPI Bank (Banque Nationale de Paris Intercontinental) and the Club Mediterané building all now replaced, the latter with the Port Louis Waterfront building. These old cars and buses was already showing the end of the railways in Mauritius. In the mid/late 1970s, the harbour front became a wide space overlooking directly on the harbour and all the remaining structures visible in the image were removed, including the railway tracks.
Port Louis Quay Harbour Chien de Plomb 1920s
And some alternate views of the same spot from other periods in time.
Port Louis Place Darmes Bus Stand 1978
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